Livestock Workshops

LINEBREEDING FOR OPTIMAL FARM PRODUCTION

Level: AdvancedPresenter: Morgan Hartman

Regardless of breed, or even species, linebreeding offers many benefits to commercial stockmen and women around the world. Linebreeding, or the purposeful and designed inbreeding toward a desired phenotypic type, can make significant positive economic impact for producers by making for uniformity and consistency within your herd, flock, or gaggle. Learn how purposeful linebreeding can help your bottom line.

The Biology of Soil: Using Ruminant Animals and Foliar Feeding to Build Soil Health and Address Climate Change

Level: IntermediatePresenter: Steve Rockcastle

There is a common denominator between different grazing techniques, foliar feeding and building soil life from the ground up. Join Steve Rockcastle as he covers different methods of recharging depleted soils, not only for pasture growth but also for vegetable and grain production. Feeding the microbes and building mycorrhizal fungi on the roots can help you to sequester carbon, increase organic matter, build water retention back into your soils, and improve micro and macro nutrient availability. There is no need to rely on chemical inputs to grow your crops when you learn these simple steps to building the herd below the ground as well as the herd and plants above the ground. You will walk away from this talk with a better understanding of how animals, plants and your soil working together can produce nutrient dense crops, abundant forage, and healthier animals.

Silvopasturing: A Solution to Some Modern Day Challenges on Rural Landscapes

Level: IntermediatePresenter: Brett Chedzoy

There are an estimated 2 million acres of farm woodlands that are suitable for silvopasturing in the Northeast, presenting a huge opportunity to expand livestock production that is more resilient, sustainable, and environmentally-friendly on land that is often underutilized on our farms.

PROFITABLE DAIRY MANAGEMENT

Level: IntermediatePresenter: Chuck Phippen

Learn how to manage dairy for 100% Grassfed, Certified Organic production and do it profitably!

Rodale Intensive: Pastured Pork Production

Level: IntermediatePresenter: Shelby Dukes

In this workshop, Dukes will discuss maximizing nutrient contribution of pastures, data analysis on weight gain, and pasture input for pastured pork production.

This workshop will also provide an overview of integrating livestock into cropping systems. Andrew Smith and Rick Carr from the Rodale Institute will present the results of their integrated livestock study, including soil health measurements, yield, and economic data.

Practical Fence Solutions

Level: IntermediatePresenter: David Kennard

Getting started with practical fence solutions for a variety of species including pigs, sheep, cattle, and horses.

BEES ON FARMS: A BEEKEEPING PRIMER

Level: BeginnerPresenters: Megan Denver and Jorik Phillips

In this workshop, we'll talk about the impact these industrious little pollinators can have on your farm, and what it will take for you to start beekeeping. We’ll cover equipment, tools and protective clothing, when and where to get bees, startup costs, and how to set up a beeyard. We’ll cover working bees and a yearly overview of bee management including spring, summer, fall and winter. We’ll also cover honeybee pests and pathogens. We believe that honeybees can be a bellwether of healthy environment and an organic farm can make a perfect setting. Healthy bee, healthy me!

Intro to Organic Bees: Bees 101 and building relationships with bee keepers

Level: BeginnerPresenter: Neal Kober

Neal will discuss different concerns in the organic bee keeping realm as well as propose ideas to broaden the availability and survivability of bees and other pollinators in our landscape.

Draft Horse Primer

Level: BeginnerPresenter: Donn Hewes

Learn about purchasing, raising, and keeping draft horses and mules.

Organic Health Management of Livestock

Level: BeginnerPresenter: Phyllis van Amburgh

This workshop is intended for the beginner in Organic dairy/livestock health management. The focus will be on prevention through proper nutrition, grazing practices, and management of stock in sync with nature. Some attention will be given to treatments, but the majority of the time will be spent on preventive maintenance. "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure" as the saying goes.